Los Angeles:Each year, as part of the New Year celebration, many individuals ritually discharge their firearms into the air, not realizing the potential consequences of their actions. In an effort to educate and warn the public of the problem, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Los Angeles Unified School District and other school districts from throughout Los Angeles County have embarked upon an awareness campaign. This campaign is designed to help reduce incidents of indiscriminate gunfire that have become a deadly tradition in our City. Research indicates that a bullet fired into the sky can climb and remain in flight for 30 seconds or longer. As the bullet falls, it can hit a ground level velocity of approximately 140 miles per hour; a velocity which can penetrate the human skull. The Gunfire Reduction Campaign aims to advise the community that celebrating the New Year with gunfire will not be tolerated in the City of Los Angeles.

California Penal Code Section 246.3 prohibits negligent discharging of firearms. Any person who violates Section 246.3, will have their firearms confiscated and will be arrested for the felony crime. Shooters can and will be prosecuted for every negligent discharge of a firearm that results in a homicide.

The media is invited to join Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley, Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief David Gascon, and Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, along with their guests in getting the word out that those bringing in the New Year with celebratory gunfire will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Among the guests will be student winners in the countywide Gunfire Reduction Campaign poster contest. Join these students and their teachers, principals and families in receiving poster contest prizes.

Although Public Service Announcements have already been distributed to the media, press packets and additional videotapes will be given to the media at the Press Conference.